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An index of leading economic indicators improved in August, the New York-based Conference Board said Thursday.

The LEI index’s 0.3% gain and topped economists’ forecasts of a 0.1% increase, Bloomberg reported.

Seven of 10 indicators improved for the month. The index had risen 0.1% in July.

The LEI is closely watched by trucking companies because it forecasts business activity for the next three to six months.